A REAL Storm Watch in San Clemente! Makes me kinda homesick.... :)

The answer my friend.... is blowing in the wind........

Running on the beach watching the surf roll in extra huge today!

Under the San Clemente Pier

Some rock'n surf for the San Clemente Pier

A day at the Kiwi Valley Farm

Christine, Mum (Nanny), Jen

Kayla & Tom

Ever kissed a Donkey?

Jeff, Brenda (Nanny) and Christine

Jesse feeding a baby goat

Lorikeet? Maybe?

Kayla's first ride of a horse - she loved it!

A ride in the rain for Brookie - like a walk in the park

Kayla & Will on a Clydesdale Horse

Brooke & Tom

Kayla holding a bunny

Jesse, James, Tom, Will, Kayla & Brooke

Feeding the sheep

Best friends (most of the time)

My favorite cow - the Jersey

Day 3 and it was raining cats & dogs like good kiwi style so we took drive out to West Auckland to Kiwi Valley Farm. There were Rabbits, Pigs, Goats, Guinea Pigs, Sheep, Cows, Dogs, Emu's, Ducks, Chickens, Pukeko's, Peacocks, Ponies, Horses... etc.... The kids had so much fun feeding and holding all sorts of farm animals. They had horse and pony rides and also enjoyed finding their way through a huge maze! We finished the day with a hot chocolate and headed for home.

The Waiwera Hot Pools

The kids all walk home from the Pub after a long day at the hot pools

Jesse & Tom

Jesse and big cousin James

Enjoying the warm water waterfall

Brookie with her Daddy

Brookie with her Auntie Christine

Day 2 and Mum was struck down with the stomach flu. Bummer!!!! The Paranthoienes took Jesse, Brookie and Daddy to a day at the Waiwera Hot Pools which is just a 45 min drive north of Auckland. Something their mum used to do as a kid and even though feeling very poorly - could even muster up a little sadness that I wasn't able to take my own girls to a favorite water playground of mine when I was growing up. Nonetheless... we had some very happy and excited girls at the end of a fabulous day. Thanks Auntie Christine and Uncle Cam - we had a blast! Kayla spent a precious day with her Nanny bonding and making button necklaces.

Sports Day Saturday

We went to watch William (centre) play a game of rugby on the day we arrived. Go the Pakuranga Leopards! Will wears a black headpiece that protects his hard noggin! Unfortunately - we missed James' soccer game as they were playing at the same time. Nevermind James... You won! Well done! We'll catch you next game.

The tooth fairy made a special trip to NZ on July 4th!!!!!

Halfway through our 12 1/2 hour flight to NZ - we heard screams of joy coming from the seats in front - Brookie had bitten into an apple slice during the night to curb some hunger pains and out popped her first tooth! One excited 5 year old!!!! The tooth fairy made a special trip to Nanny and Poppa's house but left her tooth so that she could take it home to San Clemente! Congratulations Brookie!

Hugs for Nanny Girl

Fathers Day @ San Onofre State Park with Family and Friends

Liam Mateer

Penny & Kayla

Jeff & Jesse

Brookie

Connor Mateer

Jesse off first her first surf session with her Daddy

Jesse the "Grommet"

Definition: A young surfer. While it seems that being called a "grommet" would be derogatory, in fact, most surfers wish they still had that grommet perspective of the world. For the most part, grommets are boy and girl surfers younger than 15 years old.
Pronunciation: graw-met
Also Known As: Grom, Gremmie, Grem